MAYO — Playoff-tested Lafayette took a solid first step in its postseason run, defeating Crescent City 3-0 in a regional semifinal Thursday. 

The Hornets won 25-13, 25-18 and 25-18 and will host Union County on Nov. 2 

“I don’t feel like we played to our full potential, but it was nice to win in three,” said LHS coach Kelsey Land. “We have a lot of work to do in the coming week.”

The Hornets, state champions in 2011 and 2012 and state runner-up in 2015, made some mistakes in the second and third set to give Crescent City (13-10) an opening. 

But a pair of timeouts helped the Hornets settle down and end the match in straight sets. 

With the score tied at 12 in Set 2, Lafayette went on a 13-6 run after a timeout. LHS went on an 8-5 run to end the third game following a timeout. 

“I told them, ‘this could be your very last game. We have to put more effort out there,’” Land said. “And they did.

“The four seniors have been talking this week about the (state final) experience and wanting to get back. Really motivating and being leaders.”

Haley Ellefson recorded 14 kills for the Hornets (21-6), who have won six straight matches and 18 out of their last 22 sets. Sarah Hamlin added six kills.   

Ellefson and Hamlin were part of the team that made it to the state final. In all, six players from this year’s squad were a part of the team in 2015.  

UP NEXT: Lafayette hosts Union County on Thursday at 7 p.m. LHS was knocked out of the playoffs last year by UCHS in a regional final. The Hornets have won all three matches against the Tigers this year.